Electric permutation lock and alerting systems

ABSTRACT

A composite door lock security system in which a door-unlocking combination function is provided through electric screening of outside-switch-generated signals. A preselected and changeable unlock combination is allowed to pass to an unlock solenoid while any erroneous unlock signals, burglar detection and community alert signals are channeled to the lock reset and to one or both of two alarm circuits which sound, register and identify the above source signals plus fire detection signals. Simple switch and manual lock-unlock means are also provided.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Don Harold Daniel 5114 Huisache,Bellaire, Tex. 77401 [21] Appl. No. 754,154 [22] Filed July 22, 1968[45] Patented Dec. 28, 1971 [54] ELECTRIC PERMUTATION LOCK AND ALERTINGSYSTEMS 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

52 US. Cl 340/274, 70/265, 200/44, 340/223, 340/227 [51] Int. Cl G08b19/00 [50] Field of Search 340/274, 276, 223; 200/42, 43, 44, 45;70/265, 313, 382

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,441,808 4/1969 Crane340/164 2,843,843 7/1958 Davis 340/276 2,855,588 10/1958 Allen 340/2763,024,452 3/1962 Leonard 340/274 3,411,152 11/1968 Jackson 340/274Primary Examiner-John W. Caldwell Assistant Examiner-J. Michael BobbittABSTRACT: A composite door lock security system in which adoor-unlocking combination function is provided through electricscreening of outside-switch-generated signals. A preselected andchangeable unlock combination is allowed to pass to an unlock solenoidwhile any erroneous unlock signals, burglar detection and communityalert signals are channeled to the lock reset and to one or both of twoalarm circuits which sound, register and identify the above sourcesignals plus fire detection signals. Simple switch and manuallock-unlock means are also provided.

Patented Dec. 28, 1971 .0. f7. flan/Isl IN VENTUR.

ELECTRIC PERMUTATION LOCK AND ALERTING SYSTEMS SUMMARY tion of apreferred embodiment thereof, selected for purposes of illustration andshown in the accompanying drawing, in which;

FIG. 1 is schematic representation of a system in accordance with theinvention,

FIG. 2 illustrates means for selecting and implementing combinations;and

FIG. 3 illustrates means for door open-close sensing.

OPERATION Combination Sequence Screening Referring now to FIG. 1 andFIG. 2, four socket configurations 10, 11,12, 13 are shown. This numbercan vary either upward or downward. Selective combination screening isachieved by using Input Plug 14, Jump From Plug 15, Jump To'Plug 16. Letus consider a step-by-step analysis of' the events that happen as aresult of operation of outside pushbutton panel' 17 and how these eventsare controlled by the various plug configurations.

With door-locking bolt 18 in lock position, sliding contact switch 19 isclosed and source voltage from the power supply 20 is made availablethrough fuse 21, switch 19, thermal relay contacts 22, contacts 23 andthennobreaker 24 to all socket pin 4 terminals. The insertion of InputPlug 14 into any socket causes voltage to appear on pin 1 of thatsocket. Let us suppose that the selected socket is socket 10. Theclosing of associated outside pushbutton switch 25, mounted in outsidepanel 17, causes current to flow in relay coil 26 which in turn islocked in 'by the closing of upper contacts27. The source voltage is nowadvanced through the lower contacts 28 to pin 2 of socket 11 and then onto the next-selected stage .and finally to output point 29 as therequired combination sequence is pressed. Switch 30 constitutes the laststep in the combination sequence. Inside double-pole disabling switch 31must be closed in order for the correct combination sequence to energizeunlock solenoid 32 which unlocks the bolt. assembly 33 and switchescontacts 19 to make voltage available only to outside lock switch 34 andinside lock switch 35.

Error-Sensing Plug 36 provides means of selecting pushbutton switch 25,37, or 38 to momentarily ground the alarm circuit pin 3 terminal andthus trigger an alarm sequence as explained under Combination LockTamperAlert.

Jump From Plug in conjunction with Jump To Plug 16 provides meansofbypassing selected combination stepping relays 26, 39, 40 in theselection of a combination chain.

Sequential Plug 41 continues consecutive stepping sequence of steppingrelays.

Only the selected sequence in the selected pushbuttons mounted inoutside panel 17 will unlock the combination mechanism withouttriggering an alarm.

Combination Lock Tamper Alert Referring again to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2,switch contacts 42 represent the function of selected tamper detectionpushbuttons not otherwise previously mentioned in the outside panel 17.The momentary closing of any one of these tamper detection pushbuttonsgrounds the lower end of relay 43, and, upon the condition that the dooris locked, completes a circuit from the power supply' through fuse 21,lock-unlock switch 19, thermal relay contacts 22 and relay 43 armature.Relay 43 then closes and is immediately locked in by contacts 44.Thermal relay 45 immediately begins to heat by virtue of current passingthrough. resistor 46 via contact 44 and eventually opens therebyreleasing relay 43. Reset to the stepping relays is supplied throughcontacts 23.'During the time that relay 43 armature is actuated,timer-alarm 47, whose function is supplied by the specialized use of anelectric alarm clock, is also energized through transformer 48 to give acumulative visual time indication. Then, if the alarm mode of the alarmclock is selected to coincide withthe setting of the hour and minutehands, the alarm clock will. also ring. Thus there is provided a visual,audible, both visual and audible, and a cumulative scope of tamperindication which indicates frequency of occurrence over a given periodof time. The main alarm 49, whose ground circuit was opened by contacts44, will not ring and will therefore not provide sounds to reveal thatthe button pressed was a tamper detection button. The unique one-pulsecode resulting from the momentary closing of any tamper detectionpushbutton array indicates the nature of disturbance as being a tamper.

Intruder Detection Referring to FIG. 1, assume that burglar alarmdisable switch 50 is closed. Then, if double-pole burglar alarm sensingswitch 51 is closed to ground the lower end of relay 43 armature,intermittent cycling action of relay 43, thermal relay 45 andtimer-alarm'47 will result as described under Combination Lock TamperAlert. The unique-coded intermittent timing or both timing and ringingof the electric alarm clock indicates burglary. If option switch 52 isclosed, the main alarm 49 will also ring since option switch 52 providesthe necessary ground through the lower contacts of option switch 51.Thus there has been provided the switch option of either loud, quiet, orabsolutely noiseless burglary indications whereby an intruder would haveno means of anticipating the alarm type in current use, or whether orwhen his presence has been detected.

Fire Alarm The closing of normally open fire-sensing switch 53 appliedcontinuous unconditional energizing voltage to main alarm 49. Theinvention utilizes the resultant continuous ringing of the main alarm 49as a uniqueand identifiable alarm signal meaning fire. Anotherdistinguishing characteristic of the fire alarm is that it hasthe-unique ability to function regardless of door status and may betested accordingly.

COMMUNITY ALERT A voltage surge in the voltage supplied to the powersupply '20 such as could be provided with the cooperation of powerlinecompanies would trip voltage-sensitive relay 54 and through contacts 55cause continuous ringing of the main alarm 49 ,to provide a warning ofimminent community danger from tornadoes, enemy attack, etc. Variableresistor 57 is set just below the actuating point of relay 54 whichtrips on the voltage surge and continues to hold after the voltage surgehas passed. The invention, in order to makethe community alert signalunique and readily identifiable and also provide a means 'of limitingthe duration of that alarm, has incorporated a dual function resistor 56to give a significantly suppressed type of alarm that-can be readilydistinguished as community alert. The other function of resistor 54 isto heat therrnobreaker 24 which ultimately opens and releases relay 54,ending the alarm.

Limitation of Relay Activation Periods Thermobreaker 24 also performs areset function by opening to remove voltage supply to the combinationrelays when the ambient temperature reaches a selected level. Thisfunction limits the length of time that a combination relay can beenergized.

Extended Number of Possible Combinations Connectors 58, 59, 60 have beenadded to extend the number of available combinations in the electricpermutation lock. When one of these connectors is left unconnected, asin the case of connector 59, the associated pushbutton switch 37 must beheld manually closed in order to complete the combination sequence.These connectors therefore provide greater deterrence to tamper.

Main and Remote Control Points inside operation of the system isprovided by lock switch 35 and unlock switch 61 placed at appropriatelocations within a building or home. A manual boltvcontrol 62 that isindependent of electricity is also provided at an inside location.Unlock switch 63 is normally inaccessible for outside use and is forspecial admittance and emergency purposes, over riding all other outsideand inside unlocking means. The system may be, rendered inoperable fromoutside lock and unlock controls by the use of disable option switch 31.

Thelock solenoid 64 is operable by inside pushbutton 35 and outsidepushbutton 34. The unlock solenoid 32 is operable by inside pushbutton61 and normally inaccessible outside pushbutton 63;

Solenoid and Switching Bolt Assembly Door Open-Close Sensing Theinvention, as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, utilizes to greatadvantage the inherent characteristics of door springloaded latchingbolt mechanisms as an aid to door open-close sensing. The invention doesthis by allowing the door springloaded latching bolt, over, above andincluding its normal use, to engage andclose door open-close sensingswitch 66. In order to provide positive sensing of the door opemclosestatus, force-transmitting element 67 of door-sensing switch 66 isplaced inside the door latch receptacle 68 mounted in the doorjamb.Consequently, only when the door is fully closed and in perfect lockingposition will the spring-loaded latching bolt of the conventional doorlatch engage and close sensing switch 66. This same sensing action isutilized for burglar alarm sensing switches 51 in doors, making itimpractical to attempt to cheat or defeat the purpose of the burglaralarm sensing switch 5|.

Door Status Indication The on-off voltage source from bolt assemblyswitch 19 in conjunction with the action of door-sensing switch 66provides positive door open-close and lock-unlock continuous visualstatus indication at selected remote control points.

Special Selective Unlock (outside) Outside source voltage terminals 69and unlock switch 63 are mounted together at an outside control stationto provide unconditional means of operating unlock solenoid 32 when bolt18 is locked. This arrangement provides special selective accessibilityto authorized persons for routine accessibility requirements and foremergency use.

Sound Insulation To further remove the possibility of switching soundsbeing used to crack the combination, all relays are mounted together ina suitable housing and isolated from the rest of the system. As afurther precaution, the housing containing the relays is securely boundin an impervious material such as plastic and then completely submergedin sand or a similar material. This constitutes a simple, convenient andinexpensive, yet very safe and effective method of eliminating telltalesounds from the relays.

Thus there has been provided a greatly improved multifunction electricpermutation lock and alerting system which more efficiently andeffectively provides maximum security, safety, and convenience. Thesystem is more versatile, providing more functions, yet is simple tooperate and is much more reliable. The scope of the invention is notlimited to the specific embodiment disclosed, but includes the variousalternatives and modifications that fall within the true scope of theinvention as defined by the following claims.

1 claim:

1. in an electric pemiutation lock and alerting system having aplurality of combination-selecting stages operable by an outsideswitching means and having a source of voltage extended to successivestages to ultimately provide an unbroken chain to an unlocking solenoidas each successive outside switch requirement is met, a self-lockingswitch means responsive to an alarm trip means whereby energization ofsaid reset switch means by an alarm-tripping event resets saidcombination-selecting stages to their normal state and further energizesa first alarm circuit and further energizes a thermally operated switchmeans which begins to open upon energization and finally opens after aperiod of time to release said reset switch means and start a new alarmcycle if said tripping event is still present, the number of said alarmcycles being indicative of whether said tripping event is momentary orcontinuous and wherein said alarm trip means comprise selected visuallyindistinguishable combination tamper detection switch means, themomentary closing of any said tamper detection switch means resulting inone said alarm cycle which constitutes a unique and recognizable codethat indicates the nature of danger as tamper; and wherein said alarmtrip means further comprise intruder detection switch means whosecontinuous closing results in repetitive said alarm cycles which furtherconstitute a unique and recognizable code that indicates the nature ofdanger as intrusion.

2. The permutation lock and alerting system of claim 1 further includingthermoresponsive switch means connected in series with a second alarmcircuit to energize said second alarm circuit upon closure of saidthermoresponsive switch means, the resultant continuous energization ofsaid second alarm circuit constituting a unique and recognizable codethat identifies the danger as fire.

3. The permutation lock and alerting system of claim 1 further includingan electric alarm clock responsive to activation of said first alarmcircuit, elapsed time indication and time duration of said alarm cyclesbeing utilized as means of detecting and identifying dangers andfrequencies of dangers resulting from tamper or intrusion.

4. The pennutation lock and alerting system of claim 3 further utilizingthe alarm mode of electric alarm clocks, alarm time being set to equalthe approximate time registered on said alarm clock, said alarm modeutilizing the inherent characteristics of an electric alarm clock toprovide audible indication of tamper and intrusion disturbances.

5. The permutation lock and alerting system of claim 1 further includingconnector means in series with the lock-in circuit of each saidcombination-selecting stage whereby the disconnection of one saidconnector means would, in order to provide said unbroken chain, thennecessitate manual hold of respective energizing said outside switchingmeans.

1 t I! i l

1. In an electric permutation lock and alerting system having aplurality of combination-selecting stages operable by an outsideswitching means and having a source of voltage extended to successivestages to ultimately provide an unbroken chain to an unlocking solenoidas each successive outside switch requirement is met, a self-lockingswitch means responsive to an alarm trip means whereby energization ofsaid reset switch means by an alarm-tripping event resets saidcombination-selecting stages to their normal state and further energizesa first alarm circuit and further energizes a thermally operated switchmeans which begins to open upon energization and finally opens after aperiod of time to release said reset switch means and start a new alarmcycle if said tripping event is still present, the number of said alarmcycles being indicative of whether said tripping event is momentary orcontinuous and wherein said alarm trip means comprise selected visuallyindistinguishable combination tamper detection switch means, themomentary closing of any said tamper detection switch means resulting inone said alarm cycle which constitutes a unique and recognizable codethat indicates the nature of danger as tamper; and wherein said alarmtrip means further comprise intruder detection switch means whosecontinuous closing results in repetitive said alarm cycles which furtherconstitute a unique and recognizable code that indicates the nature ofdanger as intrusion.
 2. The permutation lock and alerting system ofclaim 1 further including thermoresponsive switch means connected inseries with a second alarm circuit to energize said second alarm circuitupon closure of said thermoresponsive switch means, the resultantcontinuous energization of said second alarm circuit constituting aunique and recognizable code that identifies the danger as fire.
 3. Thepermutation lock and alerting system of claim 1 further including anelectric alarm clock responsive to activation of said first alarmcircuit, elapsed time indication and time duration of said alarm cyclesbeing utilized as means of detecting and identifying dangers andfrequencies of dangers resulting from tamper or intrusion.
 4. Thepermutation lock and alerting system of claim 3 further utilizing thealarm mode of electric alarm clocks, alarm time being set to equal theapproximate time registered on said alarm clock, said alarm modeutilizing the inherent characteristics of an electric alarm clock toprovide audible indication of tamper and intrusion disturbances.
 5. Thepermutation lock and alerting system of claim 1 further includingconnector means in series with the lock-in circuit of each saidcombination-selecting stage whereby the disconnection of one saidconnector means would, in order to provide said unbroken chain, thennecessitate manual hold of respective energizing said outside switchingmeans.